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Innovation Centre for Industrial Transformation and Emissions

Use of green hydrogen to power furnaces during steel production - IDENTIFIED BY INCITE

The coal-based blast furnaces will be replaced by hydrogen-powered direct reduction plants. The iron produced there, which will have been directly reduced with hydrogen, will be liquefied for the first time in downstream, specially developed melting units to produce high-quality hot iron. All subsequent production steps can take place in the existing plant structure, including the steel mills, thus enabling an efficient transformation.

Link to the technique (Basic Information)

https://www.thyssenkrupp.com/en/newsroom/press-releases/pressdetailpage/thyssenkrupp-is-accelerating-the-green-transformation--decision-taken-on-the-construction-of-germanys-largest-direct-reduction-plant-for-low-co2-steel-146809

Relevant alternative technique

coal-based blast furnaces

Participant Companies

Project partners

ThyssenKrupp Steel Europe

  • Under construction
Technology readiness level (TRL) 9
Date of development of the technique
31 December 2022
1 January 2026
Environmental purpose of the innovative technique
Decarbonisation
Relevant industrial sector
Iron and Steel
IED activity
2.2 Production of pig iron or steel (primary or secondary fusion) exceeding 2,5 tonnes per hour

Locations

thyssenkrupp Steel

Duisburg Germany

Commissioning expected date

Environmental performance

  • GHG Emission reduction 2030

Percentage reduction of GHG emissions:

30.0Avg %

Project

tkH2Steel

As part of its tkH2Steel® transformation project, thyssenkrupp Steel has developed an innovative and technologically leading concept for decarbonizing steel production. The coal-based blast furnaces will be replaced by hydrogen-powered direct reduction plants.The iron produced there, which will have been directly reduced with hydrogen, will be liquefied for the first time in downstream, specially developed melting units to produce high-quality hot iron. All subsequent production steps can take place in the existing plant structure, including the steel mills, thus enabling an efficient transformation. In the new plant concept, the entire premium product portfolio can thus be produced with low CO2 emissions without compromising on quality. tkH2Steel® thus represents an efficient and exemplary path towards climate-friendly steel production.

Project partners
ThyssenKrupp Steel Europe
Project funding
550,000 € - National state aid / IPCEI
Total cost of project
2,000,000,000 €